News 17:00

BULLETIN 2 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Transnet reports a 43-percent increase in annual losses amid legal and financial challenges
# The DA demands action on contraband smuggling in South African prisons
# And, rugby: The Boks strengthened their number one position with the victory over the All Blacks

# Transnet has reported a 43-percent increase in annual losses, totaling 7.3-billion-rand for the year ending in March. Despite improvements in operations and increased volumes, Transnet faces financial strain from a nine-billion-rand judgment to Sasol and TotalEnergies over alleged pipeline tariff overcharging and a 1.6-billion-rand provision for take-or-pay penalties. Transnet is appealing the judgment as it focuses on its recovery plan, targeting a one-billion-rand profit this year.

# The DA has expressed concerns over the ongoing smuggling of contraband into South African prisons with 13 officials under investigation. The DA’s spokesperson for Correctional Services, Janho Engelbrecht, says despite increasing raids, illegal items like drugs continue to enter facilities. He calls for consequence management and accountability for those involved:

# Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has highlighted the province’s leading role in South Africa’s tourism industry. Outlining the Tourism Month programme, Maile notes that Gauteng attracts over 44-percent of the country’s international arrivals. He explains the province sees approximately 3.9-million visitors and their safety is prioritised:

# Rugby: The Springboks have strengthened their position on top of the world rankings with Saturday’s 31-27 victory over their old foes, the All Blacks, at Ellis Park. A loss would’ve handed the number one spot to Ireland, but South Africa now has a lead of 1.25 ratings points. New Zealand is still third and France fourth, followed by England, Argentina and Scotland. The Wallabies replaced Italy in eighth position after beating Argentina 20-19 in La Plata. Fiji rounds up the top ten.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-87-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-445-dollars-65-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-500-dollars-70-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-93-cents a barrel.

# And finally, a large section of the iconic railing on the bow of the Titanic has fallen to the seabed at some point in the last two years. The ship’s bow was immortalised by Jack and Rose in the famous movie scene, but a series of dives by underwater robots showed how the wreck is changing after more than 100 years beneath the waves. The ship sank in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg and found its final resting place three-thousand-800-metre below the surface. One-thousand-500 passengers and crew lost their lives in the tragedy.

Stay tuned for more news………….